8 awesome options for 3D modeling software

The ability to create designs with 3D modeling software can be a huge advantage for any graphic designer. It enables you to create photorealistic illustrations and mockups that are compelling to clients, as well as expand your skill set to craft blueprints for product and environmental designs.

There are many types of of 3D modeling software out there, but we’re going to take you through a list of some of the most popular ones.

1. Sketchup

Sketchup is a user-friendly application that’s free to download and great for 3D modeling beginners. More advanced versions cost money, but you can still create great renderings and animations with the free version.

2. Blender

Blender is another free 3D modeling application. Features include sculpting, animation, photorealistic rendering and video editing. For those ready to step it up a notch, the software also allows you to craft full 3D games, edit videos and realistic simulations (such as fluid, smoke and hair).

3. AutoCAD

Autodesk’s AutoCAD is one of the most versatile and widely-used 3d modeling applications out there. It’s used by engineers as well as environmental, industrial and graphic designers. As an added bonus, they offer online videos to walk you through the software basics to get you started.

4. Rhino

Rhino is a curve-based 3D modeling software that creates mathematically-precise models of 3D surfaces. It’s used in architecture, industrial, product, multimedia and graphic design. Rhino offers and entire library of online tutorials, live classes, training guides and more to help you kick things off.

5. Revit

Autodesk’s Revit specializes in architectural design and structural engineering, specifically Building Information Modeling (BIM). Features take you from free conceptual sketches to sustainable energy analysis, with plenty of collaboration and worksharing capabilities.

6. 3Ds Max

3ds Max® by Autodesk is a 3D modeling, animation, simulation and rendering software used in industrial design, film, games and motion graphics. Designers can make their creations come to life with more believable textures, human-like motion, flowing hair and fur, particle simulations and more.

7. Maya

Also by Autodesk, Maya 3D is a 3D modeling, animation, rendering and simulation software. Maya 3D very similar to 3ds Max, but less user-friendly for beginners. It’s used in video game development, animated films and visual effects and offers higher-end tools for characters and effects. You can start learning some of the basics here.

Conclusion

Many of these applications overlap in terms of their capabilities and can be used in all areas of graphic, environmental and product design. Designs created with 3D modeling software can have many different applications, which is why it’s crucial to ask your clients up front about the intended end-use of the design.

Clients may need 3D designs for anything from presentation and design analysis purposes to production-ready files. During handovers, make sure to upload high resolution PNG and JPG files of the designs and ask them whether they’ll need the 3D source files or any other file formats such as a PSD.

The idea of tackling the learning curve of 3D modeling software can be intimidating, but the potential benefits to any graphic designer’s business can be huge. Similarly to learning the Adobe Suite, knowing the basics of 3D can go a long way. There’s a lot of free software out there, so why not start with one of those and work your way up to the more advanced programs?

Do you use 3D modeling software that wasn’t included in this article? Share it below and tell us why it rocks!

The author

Rebecca was born and raised in the Bay Area, where she currently lives. She has a BFA in Design with a Visual Communications emphasis from UC Davis. Her passions include travel, design, and all forms of noodles.

which is cool for referencing and easy use for some positions lets say sports logos it is cool to use where you can easily give any positon you need to your body for your logo thne pull it to photoshop to use it as reference after that just over to illusttrator to finalise your design..
regards, Beko™

which is cool for referencing and easy use for some positions lets say sports logos it is cool to use where you can easily give any positon you need to your body for your logo thne pull it to photoshop to use it as reference after that just over to illusttrator to finalise your design..
regards, Beko™

Being a web development company we are working with 3D modeling as this is the requirement for some of our clients. Client requires that they get the best 3d view of their products. We have to make them clear about how the 3D view of their product will look after being developed. We encourage our designer to use the best products available in the market for the 3d designs. We have been using 3Ds Max for the past few years and we have been pretty much impressed with the features and the easiness it provides to us. We have tried different software but we are happy at VIS with the 3Ds Max and all the new designer are also encouraged to use this software.

Hi, Yobi3D (www.yobi3d.com) is a 3D model search engine. We made this service to provide a good starting point for people who want to make 3D models on their own. You can find 3D models that are made with some of the software mentioned above. Hope this can help you get started.

3ds max or maya is the best choice for a career in 3d. cinema 4d comes second. all the other applications are complementary. also its not that hard to learn another 3d software if you know either max or maya. the basic engeenering is all same acros all applications..